EVENTS & PROMOTIONS;SPONSOR QUEST;HARTFORD CIVIC CENTER IS IN SEARCH OF A NAME

Published on September 09, 1996.

Hartford (Conn.) Civic Center offers naming rights to sponsors for its facility, which draws more than 1.5 million spectators annually. The home of the National Hockey League's Whalers, the center also hosts the Oct. 2 vice presidential debates, and numerous other athletic and entertainment events. Cost: $400,000 annually. Ogden Entertainment Services, Rosemont, Ill., coordinates. Contact: (847) 518-9315.

The Unknown Slammer, the first national slam drunk basketball contest, seeks marketing partners for a six-city tour in the next 12 months offering more than $40,000 in prize money. Included: in-event and on-site presence and product marketing. Cost: $35,000 to $200,000. Sportsvisions, Oakland, Calif., coordinates. Contact: (510) 465-8617.

U.S. National Senior Sports Organization, St. Louis, is teaming with sponsors for the 10th anniversary Senior Sports Classic VI slated for May 21 to 28 in Tucson, Ariz. The national competition among top amateur athletes ages 50 and over is expected to draw more than 30,000 participants and fans. Included: on-site brand presence, promotion and sampling. Cost: $25,000 to $150,000. On board: Anheuser-Busch, General Mills, and John Nuveen & Co. Helen Harris Associates, Essex, Conn., coordinates. Contact: (203) 767-5057.

Lowrider Promotions, Newport, R.I., is rolling out more sponsorships for its 1997 mountain bike racing season next May through October, including the New England Mountain Bike Championship Series, New England Mountain Bike Festival and 24 Hours of New England. Included: in-event presence and on-site product marketing at NORBA-sanctioned events drawing thousands and expected to receive cable coverage. Cost: $25,000 to $150,000. On board: Nike, Power Foods' PowerBar and Revo. Contact: (401) 847-3081.